My Love Pattern

Chapter 3 (Opposite Attracts)

My mouth couldn't say a word as my brain absorbed every word that he said. My sharp gaze softened as I looked away.

"If that's the case, then the youngest grandson of Neva and Santino Ramirez is quite... a playboy," I said in a very low tone. Sometimes my tongue can't hold itself back from filtering its words.

"Huh?" Jeal raised an eyebrow at me.

I scoffed and crossed my arms, facing away from him. "Nothing."

"It's like you said I'm a playboy."

I ignored him and directed my gaze to Mr. Collins, who seemed unsure of what to say to us now. "Mr. Collins, uhm... Is he your student too? Will you be teaching him like you teach me? Please tell me no. Because I don't want a flirty guy around."

I rolled my eyes at Jeal. "What? Why am I a flirty guy now?" Jeal asked, confused.

Who cares if he's the grandson of the Casa de Amor owner? I paid for this lesson! And I have the right to demand. I don't even know why he held the lesson here in the first place.

"Am I flirting with you?" Jeal repeated.

"Yes."

"No, I didn't."

"You called me Hermosa. I don't even know who Hermosa is, probably the name of one of your girls. So, cut it out with whatever you're planning. I'm not here to look for a toy boy."

I was surprised when he laughed. "Excuse me? I'm serious here, my goodness." I ran my fingers through my hair as the strong wind hit my face, providing a refreshing sensation that I enjoyed.

"Hija... You're mistaken," Mr. Collins interjected, surprising me as I shifted my gaze to him, confused.

"About what?"

Before Mr. Collins could answer, Jeal stepped closer to us. His moves were very smooth as he walked, holding his putter.

"Barking up the wrong tree?" Jeal said softly to me.

My eyes narrowed. "Hah! Of course, every pretentious flirty guy would say. Psh!"

"It's my fault, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd think that way in that situation. But... I always say that to my mom, relatives, cousins, and sometimes to my friends as well. That's how I greet every woman I've met—"

"So, you're flirty with everyone—"

He cut me off. "...Without any flirtatious intent. I apologize if my statement confused you, but no, like you, I don't like flirting." As he concluded his reply, he placed his putter in his hand in a civilized manner.

"Not flirting? So, what do Hermosa and... Bonita mean? Who are they?"

He took a deep breath. "Hermosa and bonita both mean... Beautiful."

I fell silent for a moment. I didn't know how to feel, whether to be grateful because it was a compliment or..

.

"Isn't greeting someone with a compliment an excellent approach to making a good impression on a new acquaintance?" he continued.

My eyes narrowed. At that moment, I felt a sense of shame and embarrassment that threatened to burst forth from my soul.

"So... You're saying... I assumed?" I said somewhat irritated. I was annoyed with him, irritated!

He shrugged. "Well..."

"What? I'm not assuming here. I'm just saying that the way you called me Hermosa, your tone of voice had something..."

I looked at him right away because he had such a comfortable expression, a relaxed space between his brow and jaw, and serene eyes.

I continued, "I-It's quite soft and seductive." I continued. "So, I don't think you intend to be formal. You're flirty, admit it. Just admit it!" I turned away from him.

He plastered a smile. "My voice was seductive?"

I stopped.

"You think my normal tone of voice was... Seductive? Really? Haha. Thank you, I guess?" He chuckled.

Okay... I'm screwed.

Jeal didn't let me explain further as he spoke again.

"I don't think I have to say anything, because you just said it all. I don't know your name, and you don't have to say it if you're not comfortable." He smiled. "Still nice to meet you."

He attempted to extend his hand for a formal handshake, but I didn't accept it. When he noticed I had no intention of shaking hands, he calmly withdrew his hand.

"I hope 'nice to meet you' doesn't sound flirtatious to you..." There was a hint of mockery in his voice.

After saying that, he faced Mr. Collins and slightly bowed his head for a formal goodbye. He began to walk away, but before he could take his fifth step, an idea entered my mind.

"Wait," I called out to him.

His brow raised.

I was thinking... he's so nice, and I don't trust nice people. I guess there's a nasty personality he's hiding, so it's probably best to bring out that side of him right away.

Nice guy, huh? Let's see if that nice guy exists. I'm sure he's arrogant and narcissistic.

I approached him. "So... Is this mansion yours?" I said slowly, emphasizing every word. "It's embarrassing, I stepped on your property, and I even made a bad impression earlier."

I remembered that many wealthy heirs, heirs of politicians, businessmen's sons, actors, grandsons and sons of rich people are arrogant. You can see it when you step into their properties.

He's not bragging yet, huh? Let's see, let's see...

He looked around and nodded slowly. "Yes..."

I smirked. See?! He's arrogant!

"But it's not mine, it's my grandparents'. Sometimes, I feel hesitant to come here."

I furrowed my brow. "What? You are their grandson. Many people know about this mansion; it's very exclusive, expensive. You must be proud of it, brag about it, and let them realize who the grandson of the Casa de Amor owner is around the area." I gave him an evil smile.

He didn't respond to what I said; he just looked at me. He was giving me a skeptical impression that made me uncomfortable. Why the hell is he looking at me like I did something terribly wrong?

"Brag? Hahaha..." He laughed softly, confusing my face even more. "Miss Margot, are you... like that?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Like... What?" I asked.

As I asked, I was surprised when he slowly approached me, giving me a combination of a playful and disappointed look.

"Bragging about something you don't even own?"

My eyes widened. "W-What—"

"We are only a part of the family, a component of the result, but not a component of the process, risk, system, or a component of initiative failure before the result occurred," he said meaningfully. "So, brag about what?"

"Yeah, you're not a part, but so what? At the end of the day, their hard work is for the family—"

"I see..."

I was about to speak when he suddenly walked away from me.

"Damn this guy, so rude," I whispered as he left.

I followed him with my eyes. I saw Mr. Collins in the distance; I think he's sorting out the golf clubs and the tees.

I shifted my gaze back to Jeal. He was picking flowers from a nearby tree. I approached him, looking serious as he held the flowers.

"Delicate and lovely as gorgeous flowers on the outside, but black and lethal inside," he said seriously, but with a hint of humor as he seemed to smile.

I furrowed my brow. "What? That flower is dark inside? So, what's the connection to what we're talking about?"

He grinned while his eyes were fixed on the flower. After a few seconds, his eyes met mine. "Hahaha, no, I'm talking about you."

I couldn't speak; I was stunned.

"Tsk, you're such an arrogant lady," he continued.

My eyes widened. "Hey... I'm not arrogant!"

"I guess you are," he insisted.

"How dare you judge me like that! We just met! You don't even know me!"

"Exactly, right? We just met, why are you acting like you already know me for years?"

I swallowed. "So, you're getting back at me because of how I judged you earlier?"

"No, it's just that you're bad at giving someone's first impression."

"Then you are bad too because you said I'm arrogant!"

He shook his head. "No, it's not a guess. It's based on what you said earlier. You want me to brag about everything I have? So, I suppose you're doing the same... Are you?"

I fell silent.

He smiled at me, remaining calm no matter what he said and what I said. I felt overwhelmed by his calmness.

He approached me. I thought he was going to do something, but I was surprised when he put the flower on my ear.

"And no, to answer your question," he began again while I stood frozen in place. "This flower is not dark inside. Inside and out, it's beautiful, and it's not poisonous."

When everything sank in, that's when I protested again. I quickly removed the flower from my ear. "Whatever! Who told you that you could put a flower in my ear? What do you think you are? A cliché romantic prince charming?"

"Hahaha! No." He crossed his arms and amusingly faced me. "I just think you and that flower match. The flower is beautiful inside and out, so you can attract something like that because... opposite attracts."